First topic message reminder :

World Cup: England to win

It has been 44 years of hurt, but South Africa 2010 will see England finally win the World Cup. No, you did not misread that, England will be champions and remember where you read it first. If England fail to win it this time around, they will not likely to lift the trophy anytime soon – and they can be certain of that.

There is ever the problem with England when it comes to such tournaments – the constitutional high expectations that the country must win and should win anything and everything, which is then subsequently followed by the traditional quarterfinals exit, then followed by the even more traditional "
England will win it all next time"
routine.

Campaign leader and manager Fabio Capello has been given a job which on the surface any manager would die for – to steer a side packed with some of the best talent in the world, including Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Frank Lampard, and Ashley Cole, just to name a few. This is a powerful but aging England generation and if it fails to deliver now, it is difficult to imagine the successors accomplishing any better any time soon.

Arguably, England’s best in recent memory was in 1990, when the titanic side managed by Sir Bobby Robson should have been crowned world champions but bowed out on penalties to their traditional foe Germany despite outclassing them on the pitch.

England systematically underperformed in every World Cup and European Championship since then, with the exception of 1996, when England outclassed Germany in the semi-final (again) only for Paul Gascoigne to miss-kick the ball from the goal-line and lose on penalties (again).

Is it because the Three Lions have become too predictable, hoofing forward and in disarray? Is it because of the sheer volume of strength-sapping Premiership and domestic cups matches that leave players with nothing in the tank by June? Is it because of bad luck, poor tactics or poor referring and the "
hand of God"
that have denied England time and again their "
God-given right"
to win the World Cup? Perhaps it is all of the above.

England’s weaknesses this time around are also legion: David James, who is arguably the worst England keeper in decades and is one of the less talented in the tournament. England’s curse is to have great keepers coming in pairs, wondering what to do with them, as was the case with Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence (later David Seaman and Chris Woods), or have sweet Fanny Adams in goal.

The defence was weakened by the departure of Rio Ferdinand through injury, although Steven Gerrard assuming the captaincy is a plus as he is better at marshalling a side than Rio or John Terry put together.

Another weakness is Wayne Rooney’s temper – the lad is a ballistic missile with an extremely short fuse. Alex Ferguson managed it, but would Fabio Capello cope with his temper?

Under Sven Goran Eriksson, England were predictably boring, while under Steve McLaren they were simply hopeless. There is a ray of hope, an air of clinical efficiency and ruthlessness about England under Capello, as the Three Lions qualifying campaign showed (nine wins in 10 matches).

So, England fans must not worry in these last days before the tournament, always a time (helped by the influence of many lagers) when the philosophic side of football fans prevails. It is that unmistakable "
stay positive"
, "
cheerfulness in the face of adversity"
and "
stiff upper lip – bulldog spirit"
attitude that sets the English well apart from the pack.

As recently noted in the Irish Times, consider the following scenario: when England perform impressively before a World Cup in a friendly match, this translates into expectations that England will win the World Cup. And when England perform poorly, this stipulates that, once again, England will win the World Cup. Conclusion: England will win the World Cup.

So there you have it ladies and gents. Football is coming home and so is that oddly shaped Jules Rimet trophy.

Lets face it, the Dutch won’t win it, and neither will the Germans – not this time. Portugal will not reach the final, unless they meet England on the way and beat them in penalties. And Spain, who are arguably the best side in the tournament by a mile – somehow do not appeal to me as world champions.

So against all odds, and contrary to all logic, I am backing England to stop Argentina and prevent Diego Maradona from running around Buenos Aires naked. England must, for the sake of humanity, stop Maradona at all cost.

Alternatively, my hopes will be on the side of whoever transpires as this tournament’s "
surprise package"
. North Korea versus New Zealand, anyone?

Haven't seen anything yet that was worth watching it seems they don't play like they use to or am I getting old

No your not getting old BGTRAVELLER I think the players have forgotten how to play these days its all about ££££££££££££

its all over now, or is it. who knows, poor poor play by england, :Very sad:paid too much money and think they are special but they are not,, as can be seen tonight, not top players by far, algeria enjoyed playing tonight england too stressed, no direction and no group play, not a lot of hope now. how awful, 1966 is only a dream.

starlite wrote:

its all over now, or is it. who knows, poor poor play by england, :Very sad:paid too much money and think they are special but they are not,, as can be seen tonight, not top players by far, algeria enjoyed playing tonight england too stressed, no direction and no group play, not a lot of hope now. how awful, 1966 is only a dream.

Couldn't agree with you more I'm sure I've seen the kids in the park play better

Terrible match, England looked very poor.

They can still qualify if they win the next match, but unfortunately, I have to say that at the moment, they don't really deserve to go through.

Where was Joe Cole????

Total lack of commitment, over paid, too big headed and should be on a plane back to the UK very soon if things continue.

Defence is too slow, midfield is too predictable and with two cart horses up front can't expect any better.

Algeria Hold England to 0:0 Draw in Group C

Algeria's national team frustrated England's ambitions by holding to a scoreless draw in the teams' second game in Group C of the 2010 World Cup.

Even though the English dominated much of the game, the Algerian team managed to foil their attacks in the late match in Cape Town on Friday.

After the USA and Slovenia also drew the other Group C match (2:2), the Slovenians are in the lead with 4 points followed by the USA and England with 2, and Algeria with 1.

Theoretically, each of the four teams stand a chance of qualifying for the Group of 16 before the third round of matches when Slovenia will face England, and Algeria will play against the USA.

Oh I say look what I have just been sent

The England team went to visit a South African orphanage "
It was good to put a smile on the faces of people who have no hope and are constantly struggling"
said Joseph Umboto aged six.

Flaming Nora, took me ages to pick myself up off the floor

oddy

England, USA Make It to World Cup Group of 16 after 1:0 Wins

The national teams of the United States and England have qualified for the second round of the 2010 World Cup after both scored minimum victories Wednesday night.

England beat Slovenia with a goal of forward Defoe in the 23rd minute, a minimal lead that the English managed to keep till the end.

In the other Group C match, the USA managed to qualify to the after-group phase of the World Cup in South Africa only thanks to an extra-time goal by forward Donovan, beating 1:0.

Thus, England and the USA managed to kick Slovenia out of the tournament even though before the last round of the group phase, the Slovenians were in the lead in Group C with 4 points while the unconvincing performances by the English and the Americans.

The USA ends up on top in Group C, and will be playing the second team in Group D, where Germany is facing Ghana, and Serbia is playing Australia late Wednesday night. The English remain second in Group C because of their worse goal difference, and will be pitted against the Group D leader in the next phase.

bit of a nail biter match, but england did perform better today, i thought the opponent were rather good and good defending from them, but thankfully we came through. well done england.

Germany to Face England in World Cup Group of 16 Clash

Germany and Ghana are the two Group D teams advancing to the second phase of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Even though the Germans beat Ghana 1:0 in their last group match, the African team managed to qualify to the Group of 16 nonetheless since Serbia lost from Australia 2:1 in the other game Wednesday night.

Germany's Mesut Oezil scored the only goal in the match in the 60th minute.

Australia failed to qualify despite beating Serbia 2:1 with goals of Tim Cahill in the 69th and Brett Holman in the 73rd minute. The Serbs returned one goal in the 84th through Marko Pantelic.

Germany ended first in Group D with 6 points, Ghana came in second with 4, Australia is also second but dropped out because of a worse goal difference, and Serbia remained last with 3 points.

In the next phase Germany will be playing against England, the second team in Group C;
Ghana will be facing the USA.

Bring it on

Well, it was certainly a better performance than the previous two dismal displays.

Not brilliant, but better [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I still don't think they have a lot of chance ???

sarah

The world cup has turned out like WW2!! The French have surrendered early, the USA arrive at the last minute and we are left to fight the Germans!!